The All
Progressive Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Cross River State, Senator
John Owan-Enoh, had earlier accused supporters of the ruling People’s
Democratic Party, PDP, in the state and those of Governor, Ben Ayade of
destroying his campaign billboards mounted at strategic locations in the state.
Owan-Enoh, who made the allegation, on
Wednesday, in Calabar, called for peace and tolerance among political
stakeholders in the state to ensure free, fair and credible elections in
February.
Owan-Enoh also threatened to stage a protest
march in the state if billboards carrying his image are pulled down again. He
said: “The state government cannot stand competition and that is why they are
doing everything possible to stifle opposition.
The administration tries to posture in Abuja
as being friendly to President Muhammadu Buhari but back at home, it tries to
stifle opposition and do things that are unspeakable. “A lot of people have
been asking me why I have no billboards in Calabar particularly, but the
administration cannot stand seeing my billboards. When I erected my billboards,
the government pulled them down claiming I have not paid a mandatory fee of N2
million for governorship candidates which I actually paid.
Meanwhile,
the DG of Cross River State Signage and Advertising Agency (CRISSAA), Mr.
Stanley Nsemo revealed that the Owan-Enoh campaign organization violated
CRISAA's rules. He made this known on his facebook wall on Saturday as seen
below:
The Cross
river state signage and advertising agency has observed with great intrigue the
politicizing of the rules that were set long before the primaries or general
election campaigns. Needless to say we have been on air in all the radio
stations in CRS, announcing and repeating these announcements. I suspect you
will hear it on any radio station in CRS.
Sen Owan
Enoh's campaign organization used paper posters during their primary elections
and was duly informed by crissaa about this violation and its consequence.
Sen Owan
Enoh's campaign organization also began branding and posting of billboards
before he got his crissaa and apcon clearance.
Sen Owan
Enoh's campaign organization has on two occasions posted materials on
billboards whose owners have not fulfilled their obligations to the state govt.
The latest being the posting on Marian Jan 4 2018.
It is
interesting to note that I have had this conversation with the good Senator and
members of his team multiple times, and we have documented proof of the
aforementioned. I have advised that he work with crissaa to help him avoid
issues like this. Some pdp candidates have also had their boards brought down
for various violations as well.
We will be
sending the proof of these violations and a petition to the IG and Commissioner
of Police CRS. We have received numerous threats, yet we stand firm. There are
many other APC campaigns posted across the state. These individuals followed
the rules.
For the
avoidance of doubt please see below some of the Senators violations and our
very public warnings. The good Senator himself called me to say his boys acted
wrongfully and I confirmed that I had been notified. He asked his DG to see me
and I explained to him that they had pending fines.
Again this
issue can be easily resolved when the fine is paid. We look forward to helping
the Senator as we have helped other members of his party and other political
parties.
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